PFUJ countrywide protest against murder of journalist from Mansehra

March 4, 2014 by: zahidpix

Abrar Tanoli murdered in Mansehra

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists PFUJ has given countrywide protest call to all affiliated UJs and Press Clubs against
the killing of Journalist Abrar Tanooli and show solidarity with Wali khan Babar family on Tuesday 4th March 2014. PFUJ has
strongly condemned the killing of Abrar Tanooli in Mansehra. All affiliated have been asked to arrange protest demo against
the failure of Police to provide security to a journalist under threat. President PFUJ Afzal Butt will visit to Abrar Tanoli
home at Mansehra to condole the death and lead a protest organized by Abbotabad Union of Journalists in Abbotabad.
Journalist Ibrar Tanoli expired in Ayub Medical Centre Abbotabad in early hours of Monday morning where he was shifted with
bullet injuries in neck as attacked by unknown miscreants in Mansehra on Sunday while he was travelling with his family in
car. According to Abbotabad Union of Journalists, an affiliate of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Journalist Ibrar
Tanoli was General Secretary of Press Club Mansehra a district of Kyber Pakhtunkhaw-KPK. He was photographer for Reuters and
also working as local reporter for local newspapers daily Mahsib. He was under threat from some unknown miscreants for his
reporting on Swat operation and IDPs activities settled in Mansehra. On plea by journalists, he was given police guard few
months back. Later new DPO withdrew the security. Journalists protested the Police decision and asked Deputy Inspector
General Police to provide security because he was continuously under threats but authorities failed to save his life.
President PFUJ Afzal Butt and Secretary General Khurshid Abbasi have strongly condemned the killing and have asked Police to
trace the culprits. It is simply a failure of government provided with information that Abrar was under threats and fellow
journalists had lodged a proper request to DIG Police to provide guard but no action was timely taken and journalists was
targeted on roadside. President Afzal Butt said that Journalists are facing dire consequences for their reporting and
Pakistan is declared most dangerous country by international bodies. Recently anti terrorist court in Sindh has given
punishment to culprits of murder of Geo Reporter Wali Khan Babur. It is the duty of government to trace and trail the
culprits so that anti journalists elements will be discouraged.
PFUJ has already given the call to show solidarity with Wali Khan Babur family and families of all slain journalists. PFUJ
will raise the voice at all platforms. Journalists are now united to draw the attention of government, police and judiciary
that all murder cases of journalists must be prosecuted on top priority.
Khurshid Abbasi-Secretary General PFUJ